Marcy Data Challenge: Frequently Asked Questions
for prospective 2026 Data Analytics Fellows
Welcome!
We’re so excited you’re taking on the Marcy Admissions Data Challenge! This is not about perfection, it’s about showing us your thinking, your curiosity, and your willingness to try new things. Below are answers to common questions and tips gathered from past fellows who were right where you are now.
What is this challenge about?
The Marcy Data Challenge is your opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving, pattern recognition, and critical thinking, not just your technical skills. We are less interested in your mastery of tools and more interested in how you reason through data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’ve never used pivot tables before. What should I do?
A: Don’t panic! We’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to create pivot tables in Google Sheets. Follow the instructions closely, and focus on how you think through the structure of your table. We’ve also included short youtube videos to learn more about creating pivot tables.
Q: I’ve never used Google Sheets before. What if I mess up the data?
No worries! You can always click on the link in the data challenge site to create a new copy. Also, use the “Undo” button (Ctrl+Z), and don’t be afraid to explore. The point is not to be perfect, it's to experiment and show how you think.
Q: How creative can I be with my insights?
A: We strongly encourage you to use your judgment and suggest your own explanations or scenarios — just make sure you back up your claims using data. There’s no single “right” answer.
Q: Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT or Excel formulas?
A: You may use tools to support your learning (e.g., watching a YouTube video on pivot tables), but your work must be your own. If a response is vague or overly polished without showing your reasoning, it may raise concerns about over-reliance on AI.
Q: What happens if I get stuck?
A: You’re not alone in feeling stuck! Do your best to describe what you tried and where you got stuck. We’re more interested in your thinking process than in having perfect answers.
Also, we offer office hours. Please attend office hours if you're stickWe’re here to support you! If you don’t join office hours, use the resources provided or search for videos/articles you find helpful. We promise we won’t bite!
Q: I wasn’t sure what the question was really asking.
Reread the prompt slowly. Try restating it in your own words. Don’t overthink, start by pulling relevant numbers, and work from there.
Other tips from Fellows:
“Trust your instincts”
“Explain your why, not just your what.”
“If something looks off, say that! Naming confusion is part of data work. Naming that a trend didn’t make sense actually helped me build my reasoning.”
“It helped when I imagined a real stakeholder who needed to make a decision based on what I shared.”
A NOTE ON AI TOOLS
We encourage authentic engagement. You may use online tutorials or tools (like YouTube or Excel guides) to learn, but don’t just paste prompts into AI and copy answers — we’ll notice, and more importantly, you’ll miss out on the chance to show us YOU.
FINAL THOUGHTS FROM MARCY FELLOWS
Let us know if you need help — and enjoy the process. We’re already proud of you.
— The Marcy Lab School Team